November 2017
The need for communication between condo management and residents is recognized by most condo boards. Yet poor communication is one of the top complaints in condo corporations.
Condo owners and residents want to know what is happening in their building and what their condo fees are being spent on. Many of these same condo owners and residents feel their condo corporation does a poor job at communications.
Direct communication, meeting and speaking, is the most effective ways to communicate information. Despite its effectiveness, direct communication does not have sufficient reach to be relied on. Other communication methods are necessary.
Five of the more common communication tools are listed here in order of popularity:
Bulletin Board or Digital Monitor
These may be in the elevator, mail room, lobby or other areas which residents choose to frequent on a daily basis. Bulletin boards are effective for no more than a single message each day. Digital monitors can present multiple messages.
Corporation Newsletter
Newsletters take time to prepare. Their popularity, like that of Toronto Condo News, is that people read them. They can be used to communicate important information along with information that is interesting or entertaining.
E-mail, Voice Mail and Texting
Voice mail is declining in use among younger demographics who find it inconvenient as compared to texting. E-mail attachments are less likely to be opened particularly by those who rely on smartphones for Internet access. Condo management software can resolve this generational divide by allowing each resident to select their preferred medium.
Website
Websites are a multi-purpose vehicle where information can be stored for access by residents and owners. It is a marketing tool to build the profile and image of your condo community among those looking to buy a condo and real estate agents. It is a communication tool although it does rely on residents and owners visiting the site. It is a cost reduction tool, convenience and service enhancer where residents can book amenities and undertake activities that would otherwise require additional staffing or volunteers.
Social Media
Free services such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are used by some condo corporations to communicate with residents. While less effective and less organized than other methods, these vehicles provide a way to quickly reach out to residents that use these services.
